I knew this couple, they were so in love. They had eloped and were married in Rocky Mountain National Park and they took a few selfies but never had wedding photos taken. My wife worked with her and they had become fast friends, so it wasn't long before we went on a double date. I had an idea in my head that I wanted to get some video of a photoshoot, so the four of us and another friend tromped around RMNP on the trail to dream lake and they got a free photoshoot. It meant a lot to them since they had never had their wedding photos taken, and though they weren't in their wedding clothes, they were together, and their love and passion for one another was impossible to not capture.

In another story, she had waited a very long time to be married. And as she waited, she went on bad dates, had a bad relationship and continued to wait. She pursued community, poured into people, trusted that her husband was on his way, and eventually gave up on that hope. She continued to give of herself to her community and wanted to just help younger women grow. Then she met him... and there was a slow build. Their wedding was special and a privilege to be a part of, and that day reinvigorated my passion for photography.

It's stories like this that I love. The simple power of a camera. It's why I love taking photos.

I was gifted my first camera over a decade ago, a Nikon D70 with a broken flash cap, worn corners, scratched and dinged. I loved it and I used that camera to shoot two weddings, several family portraits, headshots, etc., all while taking minimal payment. Why? Because not everyone can afford a full photo session.

The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise the startup capital needed to officially launch my photography business. The idea is to create a self-sustaining business, creating a paying client base while still continuing to offer free or inexpensive photoshoots to those who can't afford it.

My current gear has been on the fritz for some time and unusable. Last year I had to turn down multiple requests for photos because of this camera issue. This year, I've been able to take the pictures that you see in this project by borrowing a camera from a friend or renting one. Though that works in the short term, it's not a sustainable practice, and I want to move forward.

My goal is to raise $10000. That money would be used for the following:

I realize that some may see this as a frivolous thing. However, my hope is to build a self-sustaining business that allows me to not only earn income but also bless those in my community who otherwise would go without. Would you consider partnering with me in bringing joy and capturing treasured moments for people?